Dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A dispenser comprises a cabinet having a supply roll of paper towel therein and an electric motor-driven dispensing roll frictionally engaging the towel web for advancing it through a dispensing opening past a movable cutter, the cutter being biased to a normal rest position and being movable to a severing position in response to the manual cutting action by a user, a control circuit including a normally closed start switch and a normally open ready switch connected in a series between the motor and an associated power source and a normally open stop switch in parallel with the ready switch, and program apparatus coupled to the cutter and the motor and the control circuit and responsive to movement of the cutter to its severing position for opening the start switch and closing the ready switch, movement of the cutter back to its normal rest position reclosing the start switch to energize the motor, the program apparatus being responsive to operation of the motor for sequentially closing the stop switch then reopening the ready switch and then reopening the stop switch to de-energize the motor.

United States Patent 1 Ratti DISPENSING APPARATUS [75] Inventor:Ferruccio Ratti, Milan, Italy [73] Assignee: Steiner Company Lausanne S.A.,

Lausanne, Switzerland [22] Filed: Mar. 22, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 126,533

UNITED STATES PATENTS Grosser ..225/1 1 3,626,491 12/1971 2,258,91210/1941 Steen et al 2,275,410 3/1942 Anderson et al. ..225/11 PrimaryExaminer-Andrew R. Juhasz Assistant Examiner-Leon GildenAttorney-+Prangley, Clayton, Mullin, Dithmar &

Vogel [5 7] ABSTRACT A dispenser comprises a cabinet having a supplyroll of paper towel therein and an electric motor-driven dispensing rollfrictionally engaging the towel web for advancing it through adispensing opening past a movable cutter, the cutter being biased to anormal rest position and being movable to a severing position inresponse to themanual cutting action by a user, a control circuitincluding a normally closed start switch and a normally open readyswitch connected in a se ries between the motor and an associated powersource and a normally open stop switch in parallel with the readyswitch, and program apparatus coupled to the cutter and the motor andthe control circuit and responsive to movement of the cutter to itssevering position for opening the start switch and closing the readyswitch, movement of the cutter back to its normal rest positionreclosing the start switch to energize the motor, the program apparatusbeing responsive to operation of the motor for sequentially closing thestop switch then reopening the ready switch and then reopening the stopswitch to de-energize the motor.

20 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAY Hm 3,730,409

SHEET 2 [1F 3 DISPENSING APPARATUS I This invention relates todispensing apparatus for dispensing webs of strip material from supplyrolls thereof and, more particularly, for dispensing a web of papertowel from a roll thereof.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a paper toweldispenser for. automatically dispensing a predetermined length of papertowel in response to the tearing off of a previously dispensed length oftowel.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a dispenser fordispensing a paper web from a supply roll thereof, the dispensercomprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein, roll supportmeans mounted in the housing for rotatably supporting the associatedsupply roll, the paper web extending along an exit path from theassociated supply roll through the dispensing opening and to an exposedposition accessible to a user, dispensing apparatus mounted in saidhousing for intermittently advancing a predetermined length of towel webalong the exit path, a cutting blade mounted on the housing for movementbetween a normal rest position and a web severing position, meansyieldably biasing the cutting blade toward the normal rest positionthereof, a manual cutting action by a user causing engagement of the webwith the cutting blade for effecting movement thereof from the normalrest position thereof to the web severing position thereof, and controlapparatus coupled to the dispensing apparatus and to the cutting bladeand responsive to movement of the cutting blade from the normal restposition thereof to the severing position thereof during a manualcutting action followed by return of the cutting blade to the normalrest position thereof after severing of the web for actuating saiddispensing apparatus to advance the web along the exit path, the controlapparatus deactuating the dispensing apparatus after a predeterminedlength of web has been dispensed along the exit path, whereby severingof the web is automatically followed by the advance of a furtherpredetermined length of web into the exposed position for severing anduse.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dispenser of thetype set forth which is electrically operated and, wherein the controlapparatus comprises a control circuit coupled to the dispensingapparatus and including a normally closedstart switch and a normallyopen ready switch connected in series between the dispensing apparatusand an associated source of electric power for normally maintaining thedispensing apparatus de-energized, and program apparatus coupled to thecutting blade and to the control circuit for controlling the operationthereof.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a dispenser of thetype set forth, wherein the program apparatus includes an actuatingmember coupled to the ready switch and movable between a setconfiguration and a run configuration for respectively opening andclosing the ready switch, trigger mechanism coupled to the cutting bladeand to the start switch and to the actuating member for releasablyholding the actuator member in the set configuration thereof when thecutting blade is in the normal rest position thereof with the dispensingapparatus de-energized, the trigger mechanism being responsive tomovement of the cutting blade to the severing position thereof during amanual cutting action for opening the start switch and for releasing theactuating member to the run configuration thereof thereby to close theready switch, the trigger mechanism being responsive to movement of .thecutting blade back to the normal rest position thereof after severing ofthe web for reclosing the start switch thereby to energize thedispensing apparatus, and reset mechanism coupled to the dispensingapparatus and having a camming surface mounted for camming engagementwith the actuating member, the reset mechanism being responsive tooperation of the dispensing apparatus for effecting a cammed movement ofthe actuating member back to the set configuration thereof and forde-energizing the dispensing apparatus after a predetermined length ofweb has been dispensed along the exit path.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dispenser of thetype set forth, wherein the control circuit additionally includes anormally open stop switch connected in parallel with the ready switch,the program apparatus being responsive to operation of the dispensingapparatus for sequentially closing the stop switch and then opening theready switch and then reopening the stop switch for de-energizing thedrive motor after a predetermined length of web has been dispensed alongthe exit path.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of thisinvention to provide a dispenser of the type set forth, wherein thereset mechanism includes two camming surfaces respectively mounted forcamming engagement with the actuating member and the stop switch, thereset mechanism being responsive to operation of the dispensingapparatus for sequentially effecting a cammed closing of the stop switchand then a cammed movement of the actuating member backto the setconfiguration thereof for reopening the ready switch and then a cammedreopening of the stop switch for de-energizing the drive motor after apredetermined length of web has been dispensed along the exit path.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangementof the parts of the dispenser whereby the above-outlined and additionaloperating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best beunderstood by reference to the following specification taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser constructed in accordancewith and embodying the features of the present invention, with the sidecover removed and the cabinet side flange partially broken away to showthe program apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a view in vertical section of the dispenser of FIG. 1, showingthe open and closed positions of the front cover and illustrating thecooperation of the towel web with the dispensing apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective'view of the dispenser of FIG.1, with the front cover shown in the open position thereof andillustrating the various parts of the dispensing apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a partially diagrammatic side elevational view of the programapparatus ofthe present invention, illustrated in the set configurationthereof;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, and illustrating the set and runconfigurations of the program apparatus; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the electric control circuit of thepresent invention.

Referring now in particular to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, there isillustrated a paper towel dispenser, generally designated by the numeral100, and including a dispensing cabinet 101 which is generally prismaticin shape and comprises a bottom wall 103 and an upstanding rear wall 102and a pair of opposed side walls 104 and 106. Each of the side walls 104and 106 is shaped as an irregular polygon and disposed substantiallynormal to the rear wall 102 and the bottom wall 103. A front cover 105is pivotally mounted, as at 105a, adjacent to the front edge of thebottom wall 103 for pivotal movement between a closed position,illustrated in FlG. 1, closing the front and top of the cabinet 101 andan open position, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, extending forwardly ofthe cabinet 101 for providing access to the interior thereof. The frontcover 105 may be provided with a lock 105k for locking the cover 105 inthe closed position thereof. Extending laterally outwardly from the sidewall 106 along the periphery thereof is a side flange 107, cooperatingwith the side wall 106 to define a mechanism compartment 107a for apurpose to be described more fully hereinafter. The compartment 107a isprovided with a side cover plate 108 shaped complementary with the sidewall 106 for completely covering the area bounded by the side flange107. The cover plate 108 is preferably provided with a plurality ofspacers 109 thereon, each spacer 109 having an opening extending axiallytherethrough for receiving a suitable fastener, such as a screw or bolt,to fasten the side plate 102 to the side wall 106.

Within the cabinet 101, at the bottom rear end thereof, is a batterycompartment, generally designated by the numeral 110, and including atop wall 111, extending forwardly of the rear wall 102 substantiallynormal thereto and spaced a predetermined distance above the bottom wall103, and a front wall 112 extending downwardly from the front edge ofthe top wall 111 to the bottom wall 103, substantially normal thereto.The battery compartment 110 is closed at one end thereof by the sidewall 104, the other end thereof communicating with a complementaryopening in the side wall 106 for providing access to the interior of thebattery compartment 110. An elongated generally rectangular dispensingopening 115 is formed in the bottom wall 103, adjacent to the front endthereof, the front and rear edges 114 of the dispensing opening 115being inclined downwardly and forwardly of the bottom wall 103 (seeFIGS. 4 and 5). Extending upwardly and rearwardly from the bottom wall103, adjacent to the rear edge of the dispensing opening 115, is a guideflange 116, the bottom wall 103 also being provided with an upstandingstop ridge 117 extending laterally thereof and disposed between thefront edge thereof and the dispensing opening 115, substantiallyparallel thereto.

Mounted in the dispensing cabinet 101 a slight distance above the guideflange 116 and substantially parallel thereto is a dispensing roll,generally designated by the numeral 120, the dispensing roll 120 beingprovided at the opposite ends thereof with short trunnions 121respectively receivable in complementary bearing openings in the sidewalls 104 and 106 for rotatably supporting the dispensing roll 120therebetween. Preferably, the dispensing roll 120 is provided with anabrasive covering 124 along the outer cylindrical surface thereof for apurpose to be described more fully below.

Mounted on the inner surface of the front cover 105 adjacent to thepivot mountings 1050 are two bearing brackets 128, respectively disposedadjacent to the opposite side edges of the front cover 105, and eachbeing provided with an elongated bearing slot or opening 127 therein.Respectively received in the slots 127 are the trunnions or stub shafts126 ofa tensioning roll 125 for rotatably supporting the tensioning roll125 between the bearing brackets 128. Each of the bearing brackets 128is provided along the outer surface thereof with a pair of mountingposts 129a, having anchored thereto one end of a retaining leaf spring129, the other end of the leaf spring 129 being disposed in engagementwith the adjacent stub shaft 126 of the tensioning roll 125 forresiliently urging the stub shafts 126 toward the upper or inner ends ofthe slots 127, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

As is illustrated in phantom in FIG. 2, when the front cover 105 isdisposed in the closed position thereof the outer surface of thetensioning roll 125 will be resiliently urged into engagement with theouter surface 124 of the dispensing roll 120 by the leaf springs 129.

Respectively mounted on the inner surfaces of the side walls 104 and106, in lateral alignment with each other, are two semi-cylindricalbearing mounts 136 for supporting a supply roll 130 of paper towel inthe dispensing cabinet 101. The supply roll 130 is preferably providedwith a cylindrical core 131 extending axially therethrough, the oppositeends of the core 131 respectively receiving therein the insert ends 132of two removable stub shafts 135. The stub shafts 135 are identicallyconstructed, each being provided with an annular stop flange 133 at theouter end of the insert 132, and a short trunnion 134 extendingoutwardly from the stop flange 133 coaxially with the insert 132, andpreferably having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of theinsert 132. The dimensions of the roll 130 and the stub shafts 135 aresuch that, when the I stub shafts 135 are inserted in the opposite endsof the core 131, with the retaining stop flanges 133 respectivelyabutting against the opposite side edges of the roll 130, the supplyroll 130 may be inserted into the dispensing cabinet 101, with thetrunnions 134 being respectively received in the bearing mounts 136 forrotatably supporting the supply roll 130 in the dispensing cabinet 101.In use, the leading edge of the towel web 138 is unwound from the towelroll 130 and is fed downwardly between the dispensing roll and thetensioning roll for frictional engagement thereby, in a manner to bedescribed more fully hereinafter.

Also disposed within the dispensing cabinet 101 adjacent to thedispensing opening 115 is a cutter carriage, generally designated by thenumeral 140, and including an elongated base plate 141 extendinglaterally of the bottom wall 103, and provided at the opposite endsthereof with a pair of upstanding support arms 142. Each of the supportarms 142 is provided at the upper end thereof with a pivot eye 143 forreceiving an associated pivot pin 148 therethrough, the pivot pins 148being respectively received in complementary bearing openings 144 in theside walls 104 and 106 for pivotally supporting the cutter carriagetherebetween. Extending forwardly from each of the support arms 142,intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof, is a projection 146 for apurpose which will be described below. Secured by suitable means to thebottom surface of the base plate 141 and extending rearwardly from therear edge thereof is a cutting blade 145, the rear edge of the cuttingblade 145 having a serrated cutting edge 147. The cutter carriage 140and the cutting blade 145 are so dimensioned and arranged within thedispensing cabinet 101 that the base plate 141 is disposed closelyadjacent to the bottom wall 103 immediately rearwardly of the stop ridge117, with the cutting edge 147 of the cutting blade 145 extending intothe dispensing opening 115, as is best illustrated in FIG. 2 ofthedrawings.

In use, the cutter carriage 140 is pivotally movable between a normalrest position with the base plate 141 spaced rearwardly from the stopridge 117 and with the cutting blade 145 extending well into thedispensing opening 115, and a severing position, wherein the base plate141 abuts against the stop ridge 117. As is illustrated in FIG. 2, thetowel web 138 is disposed in use so as to extend through the dispensingopening 115 rearwardly of the cutting blade 145, whereby a manualcutting movement of the towel web 138 against the serrated edge 147 ofthe cutting blade 145 will move the cutter carriage 140 forwardly to thesevering position thereof, all as will be described in greater detailhereinafter.

-Referring now also to FIGS. 4 through 6 of the drawings, there isdisposed in the mechanism compartment 107a a control assembly, generallydesignated by the numeral 150, for controlling the operation of thetowel dispenser 100. The adjacent trunnion 121 of the dispensing roll120 is elongated to extend a predetermined distance beyond the outersurface of the side wall 106, the elongated trunnion 121 havingcoaxially mounted thereon a pulley 151 and a gear 152 spaced outwardlyfrom the pulley 151. The gear 152 is provided along the peripherythereof with a plurality of teeth 153 disposed for meshing engagementwith a worm 154 carried by the drive shaft 156 of a drive motor 155,which is preferably secured by suitable means to the outer surface ofthe side wall 106. The pulley 151 is coupled by means of a drive belt158 to a circular cam wheel 160, which is mounted for rotation about ashaft 161 carried by the side Wall 106 substantially normal thereto, thecam wheel 160 having a grooved circumferential surface for receiving thedrive belt 158 therein. The cam wheel 160 is disposed substantiallyparallel to the side wall 106 and is provided with a cam pin 162extending laterally outwardly therefrom, the pin 162 being spacedradially outwardly of the shaft 161 and disposed substantially parallelthereto. Extending laterally inwardly from the cam wheel 160 adjacent tothe periphery thereof is a cam projection 163.

The right-hand one of the pivot pins 148 for the cutter carriage 140, asviewed in FIG. 1, is elongated to extend a predetermined distance beyondthe outer surface of the side wall 106, the elongated pivot pin 148having secured thereto, outwardly of the side wall 106, a latch arm 165.The latch arm 165 is disposed substantially parallel to the adjacentsupport arm 142 of the cutting carriage and extends upwardly from thepivot pin 148, the latch arm terminating at the upper end thereof is anoutwardly and rearwardly extending latch projection 166, the outerlateral surface of the projection 166 having an upwardly and out-.

wardly inclined face 167. A lever arm 170 is mounted at one end thereoffor pivotal movement about the axis of a pivot pin 171 extendingoutwardly from the side wall 106 substantially normal thereto adjacentto the rear edge thereof. The lever arm 170 extends forwardly from thepivot pin 171 and is provided adjacent to the other end thereof with alaterally inwardly'extending stop pin 173, adapted to be engaged by andsupported on the latch projection 166 of the latch arm 165 when thecutter carriage is in the normal rest position thereof, for therebysupporting the lever arm 170 in a substantially horizontal setconfiguration, as is illustrated in FIG. 4. The parts of the controlassembly 150 are so dimensioned and arranged that when the lever arm 170is not supported by the latch projection 166, it will pivot downwardlyin a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5, under theurging of gravity, the cam pin 162 extending into the path of the leverarm 170 for arresting its downward fall.

The control assembly 150 includes an electric control circuit, generallydesignated by the numeral 195,

and comprising a storage battery 175, a start switch 180, a stop switch185 and a ready switch 190 and the interconnections therebetween. Moreparticularly, the storage battery is disposed within the batterycompartment 110, the battery 175 being provided with a pair of terminals174 at the open end of the battery compartment 110 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).One of the terminals 174 of the battery 175 is connected by a conductor176 to one terminal of the drive motor 155, the other terminal of thedrive motor 155 being connected by a conductor 177 to the movablecontact 182 of the start switch 180. The start switch 180 has a fixedcontact 181 and is normally biased closed by a resilient actuator arm183 which urges the movable contact 182 into engagement with the fixedcontact 181. The fixed contact 181 of the start switch 180 is connectedby a conductor 184 to the fixed contact 186 of the stop switch 185, thestop switch having a movable contact 187 and being normally biasedclosed by a resilient actuator arm 188 which urges the movable contact187 into engagement with the fixed contact 186. The fixed contact 186and the movable contact 187 of the stop switch 185 are respectivelyconnected by conductors 194 and 189 to the movable contact 192 and thefixed contact 191 of the ready switch 190. The ready switch is normallybiased closed by a resilient actuator arm 193 which urges the movablecontact 192 into engagement with the fixed contact 191. lnterconnectingthe fixed contact 191 and the other terminal 174 of the battery 175 is aconductor 196 for completing the control circuit 195.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be noted that, whilemost of the control assembly 150 is disposed within the mechanismcompartment 1070, the

start switch 180 is disposed on the inner side of the side wall 106within the dispensing cabinet 101, the conductors 177 and 184 extendingthrough an opening 178 in the side wall 106. The start switch 180 is sopositioned on the side wall 106 that the actuator arm 183 is disposed inengagement with the projection 146 on the cutter carriage 140, wherebythe actuator arm 183 normally biases the cutter carriage 140 into thenormal rest position thereof, illustrated in FIG. 2. Furthermore,referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the stop switch 185 is so positioned withrespect to the cam wheel 160, that the cam projection 163 is engageablewith the resilient actuator arm 188 for moving the stop switch 185 intothe open condition thereof when the cam wheel 160 is positioned asillustrated in FIG. 4. Also, the lever arm 170 is provided with abearing surface 172, adjacent to the pivoted end thereof, disposed forengagement with the actuating arm 193 of the ready switch 190, wherebywhen the lever arm 170 is disposed in the set configuration thereofillustrated in FIG. 4, the bearing surface 172 holds the ready switch190 in the open condition thereof against the bias of the actuator arm193.

The operation of the towel dispenser 100 will now be described indetail. When it is desired to load a fresh supply of paper towel intothe dispensing cabinet 101, the front cover 105 is unlocked and pivotedto the open position thereof, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. When thedispensing cabinet 101 is thus opened, the stub shafts 135 may beinserted in the ends of the supply roll 130, which may then be placed inthe cabinet 101 for rotational support upon the bearing brackets 136.The leading end of the towel web 138 is then threaded downwardly infront of the dispensing roll 120 and then through the dispensing opening115 rearwardly of the cutting blade 145. Preferably, the towel web 138is extended outwardly beyond the bottom wall 103 of the cabinet 101 asufficient distance to permit grasping thereof by a user. The frontcover 105 is then returned to its closed position, illustrated in FIG. 1and in phantom in FIG. 2, in which closed position the tensioning roll125 will be resiliently urged by the springs 129 into engagement withthe towel web 138 at the surface of the dispensing roll 120 for therebyfrictionally grasping the towel web 138 between the dispensing roll 120and the tensioning roll 125.

Initially, the control assembly 150 is disposed in a set configuration,illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein the cutter carriage 140 is disposed inthe normal rest position thereof, with the latch projection 166supporting the stop pin 173 for holding the lever arm 170 in thehorizontal set configuration thereof, and with the cam projection 163disposed in engagement with the resilient actuator arm 188 of the stopswitch 185, When the control assembly 150 is disposed in this setconfiguration, the start switch 180 will be in its normally closedcondition, with the actuator arm 183 thereof holding the cutter carriage140 in its normal rest position, the stop switch 185 will be held openby the engagement of the cam projection 163 with the actuating arm 188,and the ready switch 190 will be held open by the engagement of thelever arm bearing surface 172 with the actuator arm 173, whereby thecontrol circuit 195 will be in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6.In this configuration, it is apparent that there is an open circuitbetween the battery 175 and the drive motor 155, whereby the drive motor155 is de-energized.

When the user desires to remove a length of paper towel, he simplygrasps the exposed portion of the towel web 138 extending from thedispensing opening and pulls it forwardly against the cutting blade 145.This manual cutting action by the user causes movement of the cuttercarriage forwardly to the severing position thereof against the urgingof the actuator arm 183. The cutter carriage 140 will be stopped in thesevering position thereof by the stop ridge 117 and will firmly hold thecutting blade for tearing off the towel web 138 thereagainst. Thisforward movement of the cutter carriage 140 causes the actuator arm 183to be moved by the projection 146 for opening the start switch 180. Inaddition, this forward movement of the cutter carriage 140 to thesevering position thereof effects a corresponding pivotal movement ofthe latch arm in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 4, whereby thelatch projection 166 is moved out of supporting engagement with the pin173. When the actuating member 170 is thus released by the latch arm165, it falls under the urging of gravity in a counterclockwise pivotalmovement about the axis of the pivot pin 177, as was described above,this downward pivotal movement of the lever arm 170 being arrested in arun configuration by engagement thereof with the cam pin 162. When thelever arm 170 is thus moved to a run configuration in engagement withthe cam pin 162, the bearing surface 172 moves away from the actuatorarm 193, thereby accommodating closing of the ready switch 190 under theurging of the actuator arm 193. However, since the start switch 180 hasbeen opened by the movement of the cutter carriage 140 to its severingposition, the control circuit 195 remains open, and the drive motor 155remains de-energized.

After the exposed portion of the towel web 138 has been severed, theforce on the cutter carriage 140 is released, whereby the cuttercarriage 140 will be returned to its normal rest position under theurging of the actuator arm 183 and the start switch 180 will bereclosed. At this instant, the control circuit between the battery andthe drive motor 155 is closed through start switch and the ready switch190, whereby the drive motor 155 is energized and begins to rotate theshaft 121 of the dispensing roll 120 through the linkage provided by thegear 143 and the worm 154. The drive motor 155 is so arranged that whenit is energized, the dispensing roll 120 will be rotated in a clockwisedirection, as viewed in FIG. 2, for thereby frictionally advancing thetowel web 138 along an exit path through the dispensing opening 115.Simultaneously, the cam wheel 162 will be rotated in a counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in FIG. 4, through the action of the pulley 165 andthe drive belt 168. As the cam wheel 160 begins to rotate, the camprojection 163 is moved out of engagement with the actuator arm 188, forthereby permitting return of the stop switch 185 to its closed conditionunder the urging of the resilient actuator arm 188. This closure of thestop switch 185 provides a holding circuit in parallel with the readyswitch for maintaining the drive motor 155 energized.

As the rotation of the cam wheel 160 continues, the cam pin 162 carriesthe lever arm 170 back upwardly to the position illustrated in phantomin FIG. 5. In order to accommodate that upward movement of the lever arm170, the latch projection 166, which has now been returned to its feedposition by return of the cutter carriage 140 to its normal restposition, is provided with the inclined face 167 to permit the pin 173to be wedged upwardly past the latch projection 166. This upward cammedmovement of the lever arm 170 causes the bearing surface 172 to move theactuator arm 193 in a manner to reopen the ready switch 190. However,the drive motor 155 is maintained energized by the holding circuitthrough the closed stop switch 185. As the rotation of the cam wheel 160continues, the pin 162 moves past its apogee, thereby lowering the leverarm 170 until the stop pin 173 again engages the top of the latchprojection 166 for supporting the lever arm 170 in its setconfiguration. The rotation of the cam wheel 160 will continue until thecam projection 163 has moved back into engagement with the actuator arm188, at which point the stop switch 185 will be reopened for opening thecontrol circuit and de-energizing the drive motor 155, thereby stoppingthe rotation of the cam wheel 160. At this point, all the parts of thecontrol assembly 150 will have been returned to the set configurationthereof illustrated in FIG. 4.

The dimensions of the cam wheel 160 and the pulley 151 are such thatduring the one complete revolution of the cam wheel 160 just described,a predetermined length of towel web 138 sufficient for normal drying usewill have been dispensed from the supply roll 130 by the rotation of thedispensing roll 120. When this exposed length of towel web 138 is tornoff bythe next user, the dispensing cycle will be initiated and a newlength of towel web 138 will be automatically dispensed in the mannerdescribed above. Thus, it will be appreciated that each time an exposedlength of towel web 138 is severed, a new length thereof isautomatically dispensed from the supply roll 130 to an exposed positionfor access by a user. Normally, the predetermined length of towel webdispensed during each dispensing operation will be set to permiteffective drying by the user, while preventing wasteful use of towel. Ifit is desired to vary the length of towel web dispensed during eachdispensing operation, the pulley 151 may be replaced by a pulley havinga different diameter, thereby altering the number of rotations of thedispensing roll 120 for each rotation of cam wheel 160.

It is an important feature of this invention that, while the automaticdispensing operation is responsive to the tearing off of a previouslydispensed length of towel web, the control assembly is so arranged thatthe dispensing operation cannot begin until the cutting operation iscompleted and the cutter carriage has been returned to its normal restposition. In this manner, it is impossible for the dispensing apparatusto jam as a result of the dispensing operation beginning before thepreviously dispensed length of towel web has been completely severed.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided a novelpaper towel dispenser for automatically dispensing predetermined lengthsof paper towel. More particularly, there has been provided a dispenserof compact and economical construction and simple operation.

There has also been provided a novel dispensing apparatus including acontrol assembly for automatically dispensing a predetermined length oftowel web in response to the tearing off of a previously dispensedlength of towel web, but wherein the automatic dispensing operation doesnot begin until the severing of the previously dispensed length iscompleted.

There has also been provided a control assembly including a controlcircuit, and mechanical program apparatus for controlling the operationof the control circuit.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made therein and it is intended to cover inthe appended claims all such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A dispenser for dispensing a paper web from a supply roll thereof,said dispenser comprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein,roll support means mounted in said housing for rotatably supporting theassociated supply roll, the paper web extending along an exit path fromthe associated supply roll through said dispensing opening and to anexposed position accessible to a user, dispensing apparatus mounted insaid housing for intermittently advancing a predetermined length oftowel web along said exit path, a cutting blade mounted on said housingfor movement between a nor mal rest position and a web severingposition, means yieldably biasing said cutting blade toward the normalrest position thereof, a manual cutting action by a user causingengagement of the web with said cutting blade for effecting movementthereof from the normal rest position thereof to the web severingposition thereof, and control apparatus coupled to said dispensingapparatus and to said cutting blade and responsive to movement of saidcutting blade from the normal rest position thereof to the severingposition thereof during a manual cutting action followed by return ofthe cutting blade to the normal rest position thereof after severing ofthe web for actuating said dispensing apparatus to advance the web alongsaid exit path, said control apparatus being responsive to operation ofsaid dispensing apparatus in dispensing a predetermined length of webalong said exit path for deactuating said dispensing apparatus, wherebysevering of the web is automatically followed by the advance of afurther predetermined length of web into the exposed position forsevering and use.

2. The dispenser set forth in claim 1, wherein said dispensing apparatusincludes a drive roll rotatably mounted in said housing for frictionalengagement with the towel web, and a drive motor coupled to said driveroll for effecting rotation thereof.

3. The dispenser set forth in claim 1, and further including a carriagepivotally mounted in said housing and carrying said cutting bladethereon, pivotal movement of said carriage accommodating movement ofsaid cutting blade between the normal rest position and the web severingposition thereof.

4. The dispenser set forth in claim 1, wherein said dispensing apparatusis electrically operated, and saidllli an exit path from the associatedsupply roll through said dispensing opening and to an exposed positionaccessible to a user, an electrically operated dispensing apparatusmounted in said housing for intermittently advancing predeterminedlengths of towel web along said exit path, a cutting blade mounted onsaid housing for movement between a normal rest position and a websevering position, means yieldably biasing said cutting blade toward thenormal rest position thereof, a manual cutting action by a user causingengagement of the web with said cutting blade for effecting movementthereof from the normal rest position thereof to the web severingposition thereof, a control circuit coupled to said dispensing apparatusand including a normally closed start switch and a normally open readyswitch connected in series between said dispensing apparatus and anassociated source of electric power for normally maintaining saiddispensing apparatus de-energized, and program apparatus coupled to saidcutting blade and to said control circuit for controlling the operationthereof, said program apparatus being responsive to movement of saidcutting blade to the severing position thereof during a manual cuttingaction for closing said ready switch and opening said start switch toplace said control circuit in a ready condition, said program apparatusbeing responsive to movement of said cutting blade back to the normalrest position thereof after severing of the web for reclosing said startswitch thereby to energize said dispensing apparatus, said programapparatus being responsive to operation of said dispensing apparatus forreopening said ready switch for another dispensing cycle and forde-energizing said dispensing apparatus after a predetermined length ofweb has been dispensed along said exit path, whereby severing of the webis automatically followed by the advance of a further predeterminedlength of web into the exposed position for severing and use.

6. The dispenser set forth in claim 5, wherein said start switchincludes a resilient actuating arm coupled to said cutting blade fornormally biasing said start switch open and urging said cutting bladetoward the normal rest position thereof.

7. The dispenser set forth in claim 5, wherein said dispensing apparatusincludes a drive roll rotatably mounted in said housing for frictionalengagement with the towel web, and an electric drive motor coupled tosaid drive roll for effecting rotation thereof.

8. The dispenser set forth in claim 5, wherein said dispensing apparatusincludes a drive roll rotatably mounted in said housing for frictionalengagement with the towel web, and an electric drive motor coupled tosaid drive roll for effecting rotation thereof, said drive motor beingadapted for battery powered operation.

9. A dispenser for dispensing a paper web from a supply roll thereof,said dispenser comprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein,roll support means mounted in said housing for rotatably supporting theassociated supply roll, the paper web extending along an exit path fromthe associated supply roll through said dispensing opening and to anexposed position accessible to a user, an electrically operateddispensing apparatus mounted in said housing for intermittentlyadvancing predetermined lengths of towel web along said exit path, acutting blade mounted on said housing for movement between a normal restposition and a web severing position, means yieldably biasing saidcutting blade toward the normal rest position thereof, a manual cuttingaction by a user causing engagement of the web with said cutting bladefor effecting movement thereof from the normal rest position thereof tothe web severing position thereof, control circuit coupled to saiddispensing apparatus and including a normally closed start switch and anormally open ready switch connected in series between said dispensingapparatus and an associated source of electric power for normallymaintaining said dispensing apparatus de-energized, and an actuatingmember coupled to said ready switch and movable between a setconfiguration and a run configuration for respectively opening andclosing said ready switch, said actuating member being normally biasedtoward the run configuration thereof, trigger mechanism coupled to saidcutting blade and to said start switch and to said actuating member forreleasably holding said actuating member in the set configurationthereof when said cutting blade is in the normal rest position thereofwith said dispensing apparatus de-energized, said trigger mechanismbeing responsive to movement of said cutting blade to the severingposition thereof during a manual cutting action for opening said startswitch and for releasing said actuating member to the run configurationthereof thereby to close said ready switch, said trigger mechanism beingresponsive to movement of said cutting blade back to the normal restposition thereof after severing of the web for reclosing said startswitch thereby to energize said dispensing apparatus, and resetmechanism coupled to said dispensing apparatus and having a cammingsurface mounted for camming engagement with said actuating member, saidreset mechanism being responsive to operation of said dispensingapparatus for effecting a cammed movement of said actuating member backto the set configuration thereof and for de-energizing said dispensingapparatus after a predetermined length of web has been dispensed alongsaid exit path, whereby severing of the web is automatically followed bythe advance of a further predetermined length of web into the exposedposition for severing and use.

10. The dispenser set forth in claim 9, wherein said actuating membercomprises an elongated arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof andhaving a bearing surface thereon disposed for engagement with said readyswitch, said trigger mechanism including a carriage pivotally mounted insaid housing and carrying said cutting blade thereon, said carriagebeing disposed in engagement with said start switch for opening andclosing thereof in response to pivotal movement of said carriage, and alatch lever coupled to said carriage and pivotally movable therewithbetween a latching position for holding said actuating member in the setconfiguration thereof and a releasing position for releasing saidactuating member from the set configuration thereof.

11. The dispenser set forth in claim 9, wherein said actuating membercomprises an elongated arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof andhaving a bearing surface thereon disposed for engagement with said readyswitch, said trigger mechanism including a carriage pivotally mounted insaid housing and carrying said cutting blade thereon, said carriagebeing disposed in engagement with said start switch for opening andclosing thereof in response to pivotal movement of said carriage, and alatch lever coupled to said carriage and pivotally movable therewithbetween a latching position for holding said actuating member in the setconfiguration thereof and a releasing position for releasing saidactuating member from the set configuration thereof, said resetmechanism comprising a cam wheel having a cam member extending laterallyoutwardly therefrom, said cam member engaging and supporting saidactuating member in the run configuration thereof for effecting a cammedmovement of said actuating member back to the set configuration thereofas said cam wheel rotates in response to operation of said dispensingapparatus.

12. The dispenser set forth in claim 9, wherein said dispensingapparatus includes a drive roll rotatably mounted in said housing forfrictional engagement with the towel web, and an electric drive motorcoupled to said drive roll for effecting rotation thereof, said resetmechanism comprising a cam wheel coupled to said drive roll for rotationtherewith by said drive motor.

13. The dispenser set forth in claim 9, wherein said actuating member isbiased by gravity toward the run configuration thereof.

14. A dispenser for dispensing a paper web from a supply roll thereof,said dispenser comprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein,roll support means mounted in said housing for-rotatably supporting theassociated supply roll, the paper web extending along an exit path fromthe associated supplyroll through said dispensing opening and to anexposed position accessible to a user, an electrically operateddispensing apparatus mounted in said housing for intermittentlyadvancing'predetermined lengths of towel web along said exit path, acutting blade mounted on said housing for movement between a normal restposition and a web severing position, means yieldably biasing saidcutting blade toward the normal rest position thereof, a manual cuttingaction by a user causing engagement of the web with said cutting bladefor effecting movement thereof from the normal rest position thereof tothe web severing position thereof, a control circuit coupled to saiddispensing apparatus and to said cutting blade and including a normallyclosed start switch and a normally open ready switch connected in seriesbetween said dispensing apparatus and an associated source of electricpower and a normally open stop switch connected in parallel with saidready switch all for normally maintaining said dispensing apparatusde-energized, and program apparatus coupled to said cutting blade and tosaid control circuit for controlling the operation thereof, said programapparatus being responsive to movement of said cutting blade to thesevering position thereof during a manual cutting action for closingsaid ready switch and opening said start switch to place said controlcircuit in a ready condition, said program apparatus being responsive tomovement of said cutting blade back to the normal rest position thereofafter severing of the web for reclosing said start switch thereby toenergize said dispensing apparatus, said program apparatus beingresponsive to operation of said dispensing apparatus for sequentiallyclosing said stop switch and then opening said ready switch and thenreopening said stop switch for de-energizing said drive motor after apredetermined length of web has been dispensed along said exit path,whereby severing of the web is automatically followed by the advance ofa further predetermined length of web into the exposed position forsevering and use.

15. The dispenser set forth in claim 14, and further including meansbiasing said stop switch toward the closed condition thereof, saidprogram apparatus normally holding said stop switch in the opencondition thereof against the urging of said stop switch bias means whensaid dispensing apparatus is de-energized.

16. A dispenser for dispensing a paper web from a supply roll thereof,said dispenser comprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein,roll support means mounted in said housing for rotatably supporting theassociated supply roll, the paper web extending along an exit path fromthe associated supply roll through said dispensing opening and to anexposed position accessible to a user, an electrically operateddispensing apparatus mounted in said housing for intermittentlyadvancing predetermined lengths of towel web along said exit path, acutting blade mounted on said housing for movement between a normal restposition and a web severing position, means yieldably biasing saidcutting blade toward the normal rest position thereof, a manual cuttingaction by a user causing engagement of the web with said cutting bladefor effecting movement thereof from the normal rest position thereof tothe web severing position thereof, a control circuit coupled to saiddispensing apparatus and to said cutting blade and including a normallyclosed start switch and a normally open ready switch connected in seriesbetween said dispensing apparatus and an associated source of electricpower and a normally open stop switch connected in parallel with saidready switch all for normally maintaining said dispensing apparatusde-energized, and an actuating member coupled to said ready switch andmovable between a set configuration and a run configuration forrespectively opening and closing said ready switch, trigger mechanismcoupled to said cutting blade and to said start switch and to saidactuating member for releasably holding said actuating member in the setconfiguration thereof when said cutting blade is in the normal restposition thereof with said dispensing apparatus de-energized, saidtrigger mechanism being responsive to movement of said cutting blade tothe severing position thereof during a manual cutting action for openingsaid start switch and for releasing said actuating member to the runconfiguration thereof thereby to close said ready switch, said triggermechanism being responsive to movement of said cutting blade back to thenormal rest position thereof after severing of the web for reclosingsaid start switch thereby to energize said dispensing apparatus, andreset mechanism coupled to said dispensing apparatus and having twocamming surfaces respectively mounted for camming engagement with saidactuating member and said stop switch, said reset mechanism beingresponsive to operation of said dispensing ap paratus for sequentiallyeffecting a cammed closing of said stop switch and then a cammedmovement of said actuating member back to the set configuration thereoffor reopening said ready switch and then a cammed reopening of said stopswitch for de-energizing said drive motor after a predetermined lengthof web has been dispensed along said exit path, whereby severing of theweb is automatically followed by the advance of a further predeterminedlength of web into the exposed position for severing and use.

17. The dispenser set forth in claim 16, wherein said actuating membercomprises an elongated arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof andhaving a bearing surface thereon disposed for engagement with said readyswitch, said trigger mechanism including a carriage pivotally mounted insaid housing and carrying said cutting blade thereon, said carriagebeing disposed in engagement with said start switch for opening andclosing thereof in response to pivotal movement of said carriage, and alatch lever coupled to said carriage and pivotally movable therewithbetween a latching position for holding said actuating member in the setconfiguration thereof and a releasing position for releasing saidactuating member from the set configuration thereof.

18. The dispenser set forth in claim 16, wherein said actuating membercomprises an elongated arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof andhaving a bearing surface thereon disposed for engagement with said readyswitch, said trigger mechanism including a carriage pivotally mounted insaid housing and carrying said cutting blade thereon, said carriagebeing disposed in engagement with said start switch for opening andclosing thereof in response to pivotal movement of said carriage, and alatch lever coupled to said carriage and pivotally movable therewithbetween a latching position for holding said actuating member in the setconfiguration thereof and a releasing position for releasing saidactuating member from the set configuration thereof, said resetmechanism comprising a cam wheel having a cam member extending laterallyoutwardly therefrom, said cam member engaging and supporting saidactuating member in the run configuration thereof for effecting a cammedmovement of said actuating member back to the set configuration thereofas said cam wheel rotates in response to operation of said dispensingapparatus.

19. The dispenser set forth in claim 16, wherein said actuating membercomprises an elongated arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof andhaving a bearing surface thereon disposed for engagement with said readyswitch, said trigger mechanism including a carriage pivotally mounted insaid housing and carrying said cutting blade thereon, said carriagebeing disposed in engagement with said start switch for opening andclosing thereofin response to pivotal movement of said carriage, and alatch lever coupled to said carriage and pivotally movable therewithbetween a latching position for holding said actuating member in the setcondis ensin apparatus, said second cam member no rma ly ho ding saidstop switch open when said dispensing apparatus is de-energized andbeing movable in response to initiation of rotation of said cam wheelfor closing said stop switch, said second cam member reopening said stopswitch after one complete revolution of said cam wheel for therebyde-energizing said dispensing apparatus.

20. A dispenser for dispensing a paper web from a supply roll thereof,said dispenser comprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein,roll support means mounted in said housing for rotatably supporting theassociated supply roll, the paper web extending along an exit path fromthe associated supply roll through said dispensing opening and to anexposed position accessible to a user, dispensing apparatus mounted insaid housing for intermittently advancing a predetermined length oftowel web along said exit path, cutting means mounted on said housingand including a member movable between a normal rest position and awebsevering position, means yieldably biasing said movable member towardthe normal rest position thereof, a manual cutting action by a usercausing engagement of the web with said movable member for effectingmovement thereof from the normal rest position thereof to the websevering position thereof, and control apparatus coupled to saiddispensing apparatus and to said movable member and responsive tomovement of said movable member from the normal rest position thereof tothe severing position thereof during a manual cutting action followed byreturn of the mova ble member to the normal rest position thereof aftersevering of the web for actuating said dispensing apparatus to advancethe web along said exit path, said control apparatus being responsive tooperation of said dispensing apparatus in dispensing a predeterminedlength of web along said exit path for deactuating said dispensingapparatus, whereby severing of the web is automatically followed by theadvance of a further predetermined length of web into the exposedposition for severing and use.

1. A dispenser for dispensing a paper web from a supply roll thereof,said dispenser comprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein,roll support means mounted in said housing for rotatably supporting theassociated supply roll, the paper web extending along an exit path fromthe associated supply roll through said dispensing opening and to anexposed position accessible to a user, dispensing apparatus mounted insaid housing for intermittently advancing a predetermined length oftowel web along said exit path, a cutting blade mounted on said housingfor movement between a normal rest position and a web severing position,means yieldably biasing said cutting blade toward the normal restposition thereof, a manual cutting action by a user causing engagementof the web with said cutting blade for effecting movement thereof fromthe normal rest position thereof to the web severing position thereof,and control apparatus coupled to said dispensing apparatus and to saidcutting blade and responsive to movement of said cutting blade from thenormal rest position thereof to the severing position thereof during amanual cutting action followed by return of the cutting blade to thenormal rest position thereof after severing of the web for actuatingsaid dispensing apparatus to advance the web along said exit path, saidcontrol apparatus being responsive to operation of said dispensingapparatus in dispensing a predetermined length of web along said exitpath for deactuating said dispensing apparatus, whereby severing of theweb is automatically followed by the advance of a further predeterminedlength of web into the exposed position for severing and use.
 2. Thedispenser set forth in claim 1, wherein said dispensing apparatusincludes a drive roll rotatably mounted in said housing for frictionalengagement with the towel web, and a drive motor coupled to said driveroll for effecting rotation thereof.
 3. The dispenser set forth in claim1, and further including a carriage pivotally mounted in said housingand carrying said cutting blade thereon, pivotal movement of saidcarriage accommodating movement of said cutting blade between the normalrest position and the web severing position thereof.
 4. The dispenserset forth in claim 1, wherein said dispensing apparatus is electricallyoperated, and said control apparatus includes an electric controlcircuit.
 5. A dispenser for dispensing a paper web from a supply rollthereof, said dispenser comprising a housing having a dispensing openingtherein, roll support means mounted in said housing for rotatablysupporting the associated supply roll, the paper web extending along anexit path from the associated supply roll through said dispensingopening and to an exposed position accessible to a user, an electricallyoperated dispensing apparatus mounted in said housing for intermittentlyadvancing predetermined lengths of towel web along said exit path, acutting blade mounted on said housing for movement between a normal restposition and a web severing position, means yieldably biasing saidcutting blade toward the normal rest position thereof, a manual cuttingaction by a user causing engagement of the web with said cutting Bladefor effecting movement thereof from the normal rest position thereof tothe web severing position thereof, a control circuit coupled to saiddispensing apparatus and including a normally closed start switch and anormally open ready switch connected in series between said dispensingapparatus and an associated source of electric power for normallymaintaining said dispensing apparatus de-energized, and programapparatus coupled to said cutting blade and to said control circuit forcontrolling the operation thereof, said program apparatus beingresponsive to movement of said cutting blade to the severing positionthereof during a manual cutting action for closing said ready switch andopening said start switch to place said control circuit in a readycondition, said program apparatus being responsive to movement of saidcutting blade back to the normal rest position thereof after severing ofthe web for reclosing said start switch thereby to energize saiddispensing apparatus, said program apparatus being responsive tooperation of said dispensing apparatus for reopening said ready switchfor another dispensing cycle and for de-energizing said dispensingapparatus after a predetermined length of web has been dispensed alongsaid exit path, whereby severing of the web is automatically followed bythe advance of a further predetermined length of web into the exposedposition for severing and use.
 6. The dispenser set forth in claim 5,wherein said start switch includes a resilient actuating arm coupled tosaid cutting blade for normally biasing said start switch open andurging said cutting blade toward the normal rest position thereof. 7.The dispenser set forth in claim 5, wherein said dispensing apparatusincludes a drive roll rotatably mounted in said housing for frictionalengagement with the towel web, and an electric drive motor coupled tosaid drive roll for effecting rotation thereof.
 8. The dispenser setforth in claim 5, wherein said dispensing apparatus includes a driveroll rotatably mounted in said housing for frictional engagement withthe towel web, and an electric drive motor coupled to said drive rollfor effecting rotation thereof, said drive motor being adapted forbattery powered operation.
 9. A dispenser for dispensing a paper webfrom a supply roll thereof, said dispenser comprising a housing having adispensing opening therein, roll support means mounted in said housingfor rotatably supporting the associated supply roll, the paper webextending along an exit path from the associated supply roll throughsaid dispensing opening and to an exposed position accessible to a user,an electrically operated dispensing apparatus mounted in said housingfor intermittently advancing predetermined lengths of towel web alongsaid exit path, a cutting blade mounted on said housing for movementbetween a normal rest position and a web severing position, meansyieldably biasing said cutting blade toward the normal rest positionthereof, a manual cutting action by a user causing engagement of the webwith said cutting blade for effecting movement thereof from the normalrest position thereof to the web severing position thereof, controlcircuit coupled to said dispensing apparatus and including a normallyclosed start switch and a normally open ready switch connected in seriesbetween said dispensing apparatus and an associated source of electricpower for normally maintaining said dispensing apparatus de-energized,and an actuating member coupled to said ready switch and movable betweena set configuration and a run configuration for respectively opening andclosing said ready switch, said actuating member being normally biasedtoward the run configuration thereof, trigger mechanism coupled to saidcutting blade and to said start switch and to said actuating member forreleasably holding said actuating member in the set configurationthereof when said cutting blade is in the normal rest position thereofwith said dispensing apparatus de-energized, said triggeR mechanismbeing responsive to movement of said cutting blade to the severingposition thereof during a manual cutting action for opening said startswitch and for releasing said actuating member to the run configurationthereof thereby to close said ready switch, said trigger mechanism beingresponsive to movement of said cutting blade back to the normal restposition thereof after severing of the web for reclosing said startswitch thereby to energize said dispensing apparatus, and resetmechanism coupled to said dispensing apparatus and having a cammingsurface mounted for camming engagement with said actuating member, saidreset mechanism being responsive to operation of said dispensingapparatus for effecting a cammed movement of said actuating member backto the set configuration thereof and for de-energizing said dispensingapparatus after a predetermined length of web has been dispensed alongsaid exit path, whereby severing of the web is automatically followed bythe advance of a further predetermined length of web into the exposedposition for severing and use.
 10. The dispenser set forth in claim 9,wherein said actuating member comprises an elongated arm pivotallymounted at one end thereof and having a bearing surface thereon disposedfor engagement with said ready switch, said trigger mechanism includinga carriage pivotally mounted in said housing and carrying said cuttingblade thereon, said carriage being disposed in engagement with saidstart switch for opening and closing thereof in response to pivotalmovement of said carriage, and a latch lever coupled to said carriageand pivotally movable therewith between a latching position for holdingsaid actuating member in the set configuration thereof and a releasingposition for releasing said actuating member from the set configurationthereof.
 11. The dispenser set forth in claim 9, wherein said actuatingmember comprises an elongated arm pivotally mounted at one end thereofand having a bearing surface thereon disposed for engagement with saidready switch, said trigger mechanism including a carriage pivotallymounted in said housing and carrying said cutting blade thereon, saidcarriage being disposed in engagement with said start switch for openingand closing thereof in response to pivotal movement of said carriage,and a latch lever coupled to said carriage and pivotally movabletherewith between a latching position for holding said actuating memberin the set configuration thereof and a releasing position for releasingsaid actuating member from the set configuration thereof, said resetmechanism comprising a cam wheel having a cam member extending laterallyoutwardly therefrom, said cam member engaging and supporting saidactuating member in the run configuration thereof for effecting a cammedmovement of said actuating member back to the set configuration thereofas said cam wheel rotates in response to operation of said dispensingapparatus.
 12. The dispenser set forth in claim 9, wherein saiddispensing apparatus includes a drive roll rotatably mounted in saidhousing for frictional engagement with the towel web, and an electricdrive motor coupled to said drive roll for effecting rotation thereof,said reset mechanism comprising a cam wheel coupled to said drive rollfor rotation therewith by said drive motor.
 13. The dispenser set forthin claim 9, wherein said actuating member is biased by gravity towardthe run configuration thereof.
 14. A dispenser for dispensing a paperweb from a supply roll thereof, said dispenser comprising a housinghaving a dispensing opening therein, roll support means mounted in saidhousing for rotatably supporting the associated supply roll, the paperweb extending along an exit path from the associated supply roll throughsaid dispensing opening and to an exposed position accessible to a user,an electrically operated dispensing apparatus mounted in said housingfor intermittently advancing predetermined lengths of towel web alongsaid exit path, a cutting bLade mounted on said housing for movementbetween a normal rest position and a web severing position, meansyieldably biasing said cutting blade toward the normal rest positionthereof, a manual cutting action by a user causing engagement of the webwith said cutting blade for effecting movement thereof from the normalrest position thereof to the web severing position thereof, a controlcircuit coupled to said dispensing apparatus and to said cutting bladeand including a normally closed start switch and a normally open readyswitch connected in series between said dispensing apparatus and anassociated source of electric power and a normally open stop switchconnected in parallel with said ready switch all for normallymaintaining said dispensing apparatus de-energized, and programapparatus coupled to said cutting blade and to said control circuit forcontrolling the operation thereof, said program apparatus beingresponsive to movement of said cutting blade to the severing positionthereof during a manual cutting action for closing said ready switch andopening said start switch to place said control circuit in a readycondition, said program apparatus being responsive to movement of saidcutting blade back to the normal rest position thereof after severing ofthe web for reclosing said start switch thereby to energize saiddispensing apparatus, said program apparatus being responsive tooperation of said dispensing apparatus for sequentially closing saidstop switch and then opening said ready switch and then reopening saidstop switch for de-energizing said drive motor after a predeterminedlength of web has been dispensed along said exit path, whereby severingof the web is automatically followed by the advance of a furtherpredetermined length of web into the exposed position for severing anduse.
 15. The dispenser set forth in claim 14, and further includingmeans biasing said stop switch toward the closed condition thereof, saidprogram apparatus normally holding said stop switch in the opencondition thereof against the urging of said stop switch bias means whensaid dispensing apparatus is de-energized.
 16. A dispenser fordispensing a paper web from a supply roll thereof, said dispensercomprising a housing having a dispensing opening therein, roll supportmeans mounted in said housing for rotatably supporting the associatedsupply roll, the paper web extending along an exit path from theassociated supply roll through said dispensing opening and to an exposedposition accessible to a user, an electrically operated dispensingapparatus mounted in said housing for intermittently advancingpredetermined lengths of towel web along said exit path, a cutting blademounted on said housing for movement between a normal rest position anda web severing position, means yieldably biasing said cutting bladetoward the normal rest position thereof, a manual cutting action by auser causing engagement of the web with said cutting blade for effectingmovement thereof from the normal rest position thereof to the websevering position thereof, a control circuit coupled to said dispensingapparatus and to said cutting blade and including a normally closedstart switch and a normally open ready switch connected in seriesbetween said dispensing apparatus and an associated source of electricpower and a normally open stop switch connected in parallel with saidready switch all for normally maintaining said dispensing apparatusde-energized, and an actuating member coupled to said ready switch andmovable between a set configuration and a run configuration forrespectively opening and closing said ready switch, trigger mechanismcoupled to said cutting blade and to said start switch and to saidactuating member for releasably holding said actuating member in the setconfiguration thereof when said cutting blade is in the normal restposition thereof with said dispensing apparatus de-energized, saidtrigger mechanism being responsive to movement of said cutting blade tothe seVering position thereof during a manual cutting action for openingsaid start switch and for releasing said actuating member to the runconfiguration thereof thereby to close said ready switch, said triggermechanism being responsive to movement of said cutting blade back to thenormal rest position thereof after severing of the web for reclosingsaid start switch thereby to energize said dispensing apparatus, andreset mechanism coupled to said dispensing apparatus and having twocamming surfaces respectively mounted for camming engagement with saidactuating member and said stop switch, said reset mechanism beingresponsive to operation of said dispensing apparatus for sequentiallyeffecting a cammed closing of said stop switch and then a cammedmovement of said actuating member back to the set configuration thereoffor reopening said ready switch and then a cammed reopening of said stopswitch for de-energizing said drive motor after a predetermined lengthof web has been dispensed along said exit path, whereby severing of theweb is automatically followed by the advance of a further predeterminedlength of web into the exposed position for severing and use.
 17. Thedispenser set forth in claim 16, wherein said actuating member comprisesan elongated arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof and having abearing surface thereon disposed for engagement with said ready switch,said trigger mechanism including a carriage pivotally mounted in saidhousing and carrying said cutting blade thereon, said carriage beingdisposed in engagement with said start switch for opening and closingthereof in response to pivotal movement of said carriage, and a latchlever coupled to said carriage and pivotally movable therewith between alatching position for holding said actuating member in the setconfiguration thereof and a releasing position for releasing saidactuating member from the set configuration thereof.
 18. The dispenserset forth in claim 16, wherein said actuating member comprises anelongated arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof and having a bearingsurface thereon disposed for engagement with said ready switch, saidtrigger mechanism including a carriage pivotally mounted in said housingand carrying said cutting blade thereon, said carriage being disposed inengagement with said start switch for opening and closing thereof inresponse to pivotal movement of said carriage, and a latch lever coupledto said carriage and pivotally movable therewith between a latchingposition for holding said actuating member in the set configurationthereof and a releasing position for releasing said actuating memberfrom the set configuration thereof, said reset mechanism comprising acam wheel having a cam member extending laterally outwardly therefrom,said cam member engaging and supporting said actuating member in the runconfiguration thereof for effecting a cammed movement of said actuatingmember back to the set configuration thereof as said cam wheel rotatesin response to operation of said dispensing apparatus.
 19. The dispenserset forth in claim 16, wherein said actuating member comprises anelongated arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof and having a bearingsurface thereon disposed for engagement with said ready switch, saidtrigger mechanism including a carriage pivotally mounted in said housingand carrying said cutting blade thereon, said carriage being disposed inengagement with said start switch for opening and closing thereof inresponse to pivotal movement of said carriage, and a latch lever coupledto said carriage and pivotally movable therewith between a latchingposition for holding said actuating member in the set configurationthereof and a releasing position for releasing said actuating memberfrom the set configuration thereof, said reset mechanism comprises a camwheel having a first cam member extending laterally outwardly therefromand a second cam member extending laterally inwardly therefrom adjacentto the periphery thereof, said first cam member Engaging and supportingsaid actuating member in the run configuration thereof for effecting acammed movement of said actuating member back to the set configurationthereof as said cam wheel rotates in response to operation of saiddispensing apparatus, said second cam member normally holding said stopswitch open when said dispensing apparatus is de-energized and beingmovable in response to initiation of rotation of said cam wheel forclosing said stop switch, said second cam member reopening said stopswitch after one complete revolution of said cam wheel for therebyde-energizing said dispensing apparatus.
 20. A dispenser for dispensinga paper web from a supply roll thereof, said dispenser comprising ahousing having a dispensing opening therein, roll support means mountedin said housing for rotatably supporting the associated supply roll, thepaper web extending along an exit path from the associated supply rollthrough said dispensing opening and to an exposed position accessible toa user, dispensing apparatus mounted in said housing for intermittentlyadvancing a predetermined length of towel web along said exit path,cutting means mounted on said housing and including a member movablebetween a normal rest position and a web-severing position, meansyieldably biasing said movable member toward the normal rest positionthereof, a manual cutting action by a user causing engagement of the webwith said movable member for effecting movement thereof from the normalrest position thereof to the web severing position thereof, and controlapparatus coupled to said dispensing apparatus and to said movablemember and responsive to movement of said movable member from the normalrest position thereof to the severing position thereof during a manualcutting action followed by return of the movable member to the normalrest position thereof after severing of the web for actuating saiddispensing apparatus to advance the web along said exit path, saidcontrol apparatus being responsive to operation of said dispensingapparatus in dispensing a predetermined length of web along said exitpath for deactuating said dispensing apparatus, whereby severing of theweb is automatically followed by the advance of a further predeterminedlength of web into the exposed position for severing and use.